AN APPEAL.
A DESERVING CASE.
(To the Editor.) Sir, — We shall be obliged if you will kindly publish the following appeal to the Highlanders of the Clutha in particular, and generally to all kind hearted folk: —
Kenneth McDonald, aged 30, a native of the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, was employed as able seaman on the s,s. Surrey, from which ship he was taken ashore to the Dunedin Hospital some three weeks ago, suffering from an internal complaint common enough among seamen on account of so much change of water. The poor fellow succumbed to his illness a few days ago. His mortal remains were laid to rest in the North Dunedin burial ground, and followed there by six of his countrymen (sailors) among other friends. The deceased left a widow in poor and needy enough circumstances, and a little girl two years old. The widow's address is 17 Lensport, Lochs, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. The deceased was on Home wages — viz., £4 per month, and left half-pay in the Home shipping office, to be duly forwarded, when earned, to his wife. Whenever he was taken ashore, however, the poor widow's half-pay would discontinue. The balance of wages due to the deceased, we understand, is the very small sum of £2 8/. Now, those who know the strenuous struggle for existence experienced from year to year by the poor crofters of the Western Highlands and Islands of Scotland, will doubtless realise the situation, and be in a position to sympathise, and understand the very sad plight in which the poor widow and her orphan child are left.
Those who know something, even in song, of the long-expected home-coming of poor Jack, after a long, long absence from that place that is ever dear to every man's heart — home, will, with others, we feel sure, do something towards cheering and gladdening the sorrowing heart of the poor widow. I am extremely sorry that my circumstances will only permit me giving 5/ towards this, which I have much pleasure in forwarding to you herewith. We respectfully suggest, Sir, that the proceeds of this appeal be forwarded to the worthy chief of the Dunedin Gaelic Society (Dugald McPherson, Esq., Crawford street, Dunedin), to forward same to the Mayor of Stornaway, Isle of Lewis. Therefore, all those that will kindly give may rest assured that the widow will duly receive their respective donations.
In conclusion, Sir, we heartily thank you, anticipating your very kind favour in taking charge of donations towards this most deserving cause even the cause of the sorrowing widow and the fatherless.
— I am, etc., FINLAY McKENZIE, Seaman. 101 Cumberland Street, Dunedin.
(Note. — Mr McKenzie forwards 5/-. -Clutha Leader, 11/12/1908.
An Appeal
In connection with the appeal made on Wednesday morning in behalf of Kenneth McDonald, a good deal of sympathy has been awakened. McDonald was an able seaman on the s.s. Surrey. He was taken to the hospital at Dunedin a few weeks ago and died there at the age of 30. He was a native of Isle of Lewis, Scotland, and he leaves a widow and a little daughter unprovided for. We have been asked to receive subscriptions to go towards their assistance and gladly accede. All contributions will be forwarded to the Chief of the Dunedin Gaelic Society, Mr Dugald McPherson, Dunedin, by whom they will be transmitted to the widow through the Mayor of Stornaway, Isle of Lewis. We have to acknowledge the following: —
Norman McDonald 3s 0.
Gilmour and Sons 10s 0.
J. W. A. Stone 3s 0.
"W.H.P. "Gore 10s 0
“A Sailor's Widow" 5s 0
G.G.C. 10s 0
M.C 3s 6
M.D. 10s. -Southland Times, 14/12/1908.
THE KENNETH McDONALD FUND.
Sir, — It may interest your readers to hear more particulars regarding the widow of the late Kenneth McDonald; 27 Lent-post Lochs, Stornoway, Lewis, is a small sterile croft of about three acres, for which the widow will have to pay very big rent — rent altogether out of proportion to any returns this and similar crofts ever gave, or ever will give. On this little patch of land stands her modest whitewashed cottage.
Big entailed estates have been, many years ago, cut up in this fashion, rendering it almost impossible for anyone to live in the place; hence the largo exodus — very large exodus — of Highlanders who left some years ago — and are still leaving — for foreign shorts in order to earn a livelihood. In the Western Highlands of Scotland the poor crofters are cramped in every possible form and manner. On account of this, in many instances they are obliged to carry seaweed in creels long distances on their backs to manure their little crofts. So small indeed are the sterile crofts on which the crofters are cooped up that in very many instances they cannot afford to buy or keep horses. The best of the land is fenced in for the hunting-grounds of the opulent; so what was impossible with the sword is now accomplished with yellow gold, and consequently the people are driven away to foreign lands. It is a burning shame to the Empire the manner in which the Highland crofters have been used in the past — a shame that will tell its own tale in coming ages, and is even telling it now. The Isle of Skye and similar portions of Highlands sent out and produced more distinguished soldiers and sailors than any other part in proportion of the British Empire. These crofters at that time gloried in fighting for King and country; but let England send recruiting officers up there to-day — what is result? They are simply met with laughter. No wonder that, as an Imperialist and patriot, my heart burns with indignation when I think of it.
The widow is left unprovided for. The people in her immediate neighbourhood are poor — poor because what used to be a somewhat lucrative industry (the herring fishing) is now being much impaired by the introduction of steam trawlers. I hope we shall be able to collect about £100. This would enable the widow to start in some little business, and so be able to rear her orphan child. I trust that in any case we shall be able to send Home a goodly sum. This would not only relieve the poor, destitute widow, but likewise show the Highlanders at Home that they are not forgotten by their brothers across the wave, and that both are bound together, with bonds of love and loyalty stronger than death.
— I am, etc., A. O. Robertson. Belleknowes, December 21. -Otago Daily Times, 26/12/1908.
Kenneth McDonald lies, with five others, in a pauper's grave in Dunedin's Northern Cemetery.
THE KENNETH McDONALD FUND.
To the Editor, we, the undersigned desire very heartily to thank you for your great kindness in taking charge of subscriptions to the above fund. Ee also desire to thank all those who very generously subscribed. Amounts acknowledged L5 17s, and L10 14s, total L16 11s. — We are, etc.,
D. McPHERSON, Chief of the Gaelic Society,
A. C. ROBERTSON. Dunedin, 22nd Feb., 1909. -Southland Times, 4/3/1909.
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